Region braces for crush of eclipse crowds Monday
Emergency response agencies have been preparing for a year
They will come by the thousands.
Massive crowds are expected to descend on Essex County for Monday's total solar eclipse, with keen skygazers anticipated at Point Pelee the night before.
And Dan Metcalfe has spent a year preparing for them.
The emergency measures coordinator for the County of Essex said a mass migration of eclipse observers could strain local infrastructure and affect response times for police, paramedics, and firefighters.
“Everybody's kind of aware of it in the first-response agencies,” said Metcalfe, who started planning for the April 8 event in the spring of 2023.
“Some of the first-response agencies are up-staffing. It's kind of a guessing game to a degree. It's hard to forecast exactly what the impact will be or the influx of population as far as observers go.
“But if traffic rises, which we expect, response times may be delayed. That's where you want to think about up-staffing or prestaging. Things to reduce response times in that traffic congestion.”
The southernmost edge of Essex County is one of the few places in Canada where a total solar eclipse will be visible on Monday afternoon, when the moon slides between Earth and the sun.
Emergency response agencies expect roads, public gathering spaces, and even local waterways to be jammed with residents and tourists.
“Since there's been no ice on the Great Lakes to a very great extent, boats are already in the water,” said Metcalfe. “We expect an influx of observers both on the water and on the land, especially in the south end of the County of Essex.”
Ontario Provincial Police said officers will maintain a highly visible presence throughout the areas they patrol.
“Essex County OPP has had the solar eclipse on our radar for several months,” said Const. Steven Duguay. “Historically, eclipses have prompted mass movements of people to prime viewing areas, and we are expecting the same in Essex County.”
Even in Amherstburg, which is outside the zone of totality, Windsor police are expecting a busy day.
“The Windsor Police Service is preparing for a possible influx of people, particularly in the Town of Amherstburg,” said Const. Bianca Jackson. “Our members will be ready to deal with the larger crowds and increased traffic on our roads.”
Erie Shores Healthcare, the only hospital in the local zone of totality where large crowds will assemble, did not acknowledge Windsor Star requests for comment about potential contingency plans.
But other agencies are urging caution, and not just when looking at the Sun.
“With the expected large crowds, we encourage everyone to think road safety,” said Duguay. “Any time there is an increase in traffic, drivers need to remember to expect delays and traffic slowdowns due to the increase in traffic volume on our roadways.”
Police are reminding boaters to check their vessels, ensure they have proper safety gear and remember that, even with no ice, the water is frigid.
Metcalfe said traffic jams will likely be worse at certain key congestion points such as Point Pelee National Park. As the southernmost point in mainland Canada, it will be the first spot in the country to fall under totality.
“They've only got one entrance and it's a two-lane road going into the park,” Metcalfe said. “They're expecting hundreds if not a few thousand observers there because it's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
“If you can say you observed from Point Pelee National Park in the southernmost land area of Canada, that's kind of an event. Same with all the coastal areas. All the highways and roads along the coastal areas of southern Essex County are going to be congested.”
Point Pelee National Park will be open from 7 a.m. to dusk. Parks Canada is warning all visitors, including annual pass holders, to expect long lineups at the entrance kiosk. All entry is first-come, firstserve until the park reaches capacity, which will likely happen quickly.
“Visitors should be aware that the park will be extremely busy on April 8, and potentially reach capacity, at which time no additional visitors would be permitted to enter the park,” said Parks Canada spokesperson Julia Grcevic.
“Capacity for Point Pelee National Park is approximately 700 cars. Visitors should plan ahead and be prepared to view the eclipse from an alternate location should the park not be able to accommodate them.”